Meet The Staff

As the Associate Dean for Student Life. Alina's responsibilities include supporting Student Life programs and events, advising the Student Government Association and the Governing Board of Barnard, and working with all students to foster a vibrant and inclusive community. Alina serves on various committees and collaborates with campus partners to bring holistic, educational, co-curricular programs to Barnard.

As a facilitator and educator, Alina specializes in community building, identity exploration, and inclusive leadership. Alina's research examines the processes of racial identity construction using critical theory and intersectionality to understand racial identity construction as one part of decolonization projects. Alina's research is included in The Misrepresented Minority: New Insights on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and the Implications for Higher Education (2013) and in the forthcoming Intersectionality and Research in Higher Education. Alina is available for workshops, trainings, facilitation, and lectures in identity exploration and social justice education.

In her position, Jenn works in the areas of social justice education and leadership development. Receiving her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, Jenn earned her master of arts degree in Higher Administration from New York University, where she also worked professionally in residential life, student government advisement, new student programming, and the MLK Scholars program. Most recently, Jenn comes to us from Mills College, where she fell in love with women-centered, educational spaces that allow for leadership development through a social change lens. Jenn believes that Barnard will be a great place to continue nourishing her passion for social justice education and collaborative leadership development.

Denise BonetaProgram Director for Community Programs and Orientationdboneta@barnard.edu
212-854-9130

Denise graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Childhood/Special Education and went on to earn a Masters in Social Justice Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Originally from Queens, Denise is excited to be living and working in the city that she loves. In her role as Program Director for Community Programs and Orientation, Denise will be overseeing the New Student Orientation Program (NSOP) and advising McIntosh Activities Council, First-Year Class Council, publication clubs, pre-professional clubs & special interest clubs.

Michael C. Abamont
Program Director for the Glicker-Milstein Theatre and Arts Initiativesmabamont@barnard.edu
212-851-2941

Michael earned his Bachelor of Arts from DeSales University in Pennsylvania and his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. After school, Michael returned home to New York City to begin his career as a theatre technician. In his travels he has had the pleasure of working with the wonderful people of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, the Kansas City Repertory Theatre and the Utah Shakespearean Festival just to name a few. As the Theatre Coordinator for the Glicker-Milstein Theatre, Michael oversees all scheduling and technical aspects for any productions that take place in the theatre, no matter how large or small.

Ana is excited to be a Program Coordinator for Student Life, working on leadership and social justice education. She will be advising identity-based and pre-professional student clubs and the Senior Week Committee, and working on Barnard BLUE. Ana received her Master of Arts degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from New York University after receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, Monterey Bay. She has experience in service-learning, social justice programming, student activities, and residence life. Ana loves basketball, travelling, hats, and free t-shirts. Ana also likes meeting new people and invites you to shoot baskets in her office!

Emily earned her bachelor's degree in Urban Studies with a concentration in Sociology from Barnard College in May of 2015. During her time at Barnard, Emily served as the Vice President of Communications for the Barnard Student Government Association, a Social Justice Fellow with Barnard/Columbia Hillel, and a Peer Educator with Barnard Well Woman. As a Program Coordinator, Emily advises identity-based and pre-professional student clubs, Native American Heritage Month, Latino Heritage Month, Women's History Month, and the Sophomore Class Council. Emily co-Chairs the LGBTQA Leadership Retreat and also works on the Barnard BLUE series.

Jessica earned her Bachelor degree in Theatre Arts focusing on Sound Design from Barnard College. Since graduating, she has worked as a sound designer, audio engineer and stagehand in venues around the country. She has had the pleasure of working with a variety of artists and performers in spaces like Second Stage, New World Stages, BAM, and New York Live Arts. As the Glicker-Milstein Theatre Technician, Jessica will provide support for performances in the GMT and assist with advising student clubs, in addition to support for Student Life Arts Initiatives.